What careers can you do with an Illustration degree?

An illustration degree develops far more than drawing ability.

It builds visual storytelling skills, conceptual thinking, and digital and traditional techniques. These are qualities that are highly valued across publishing, advertising, media and design industries.

An illustration degree can lead to a wide range of creative and commercial career opportunities. This guide explores the main career paths available to illustration graduates and how you can turn your visual ideas into a sustainable profession.

Illustration jobs for graduates

Professional illustrator careers

• Freelance Illustrator: work on a project-by-project basis for a wide range of clients creating assets such as book covers, advertising artwork, branding visuals and editorial illustrations. Freelancers manage their own schedules, finances and marketing, making this route ideal for self-motivated creatives.
• Children’s Book Illustrator: specialise in visual storytelling for young readers, working with authors and publishers to bring stories to life. This role requires strong narrative skills, character design ability and an understanding of age-appropriate visuals.
• Editorial Illustrator: produce images for newspapers, magazines and online publications, often responding quickly to topical issues and briefs. Speed, adaptability, and conceptual thinking are essential in this field.
• Author-Illustrator: some graduates write and illustrate their own books, developing complete creative projects from concept to publication.

Creative and applied illustration careers

These roles allow graduates to use illustration within broader design and marketing contexts.

• Commercial Illustrator: create visuals for advertising campaigns, packaging, websites and corporate branding. Commercial illustrators work closely with creative directors, designers, and brand managers, combing artistic skill with commercial awareness.
• Concept Artist and Character Designer: illustrators with strong imaginative skills may work in concept art, designing characters and environments for games, animation, and film. This work focuses on world-building, atmosphere and design consistency.
• Surface Pattern Designer: create repeating patterns for textiles, wallpapers, stationery, and homeware. They often work with fashion brands, interior designers and licensing companies.
• Packaging and Product Illustrator: specialise in product visuals, creating labels and packaging artwork for retail and consumer goods.

Digital illustration and multimedia careers

Digital technology has expanded career options for illustrators, with opportunities to work across on interactive and online platforms.

• Digital Illustrator: create content for web, print, and social media. Common projects include website graphics, app visuals and online campaigns.
• Motion Graphics Artist: some illustrators move into motion graphics, animating illustrations for video, advertising and online content. This role combines illustration with animation, typography and visual storytelling.
• Storyboard Artist: create visual plans for films, television and advertising. They help directors and producers visualise scenes before production begins.
• Visual Content Creator: many graduates become digital content creators, producing illustrated posts and videos for social media platforms.

Publishing and visual communication careers

Illustration graduates are well suited to careers in publishing, journalism, and media production.

• Publishing and Editorial Assistant: support the production of books, magazines and digital publications, working closely with writers, editors and illustrators.
• Picture Researcher: source and manage visual content for publishers and broadcasters. They ensure copyright compliance, image quality, licensing and visual consistency.
• Art Editor or Visual Editor: oversee the visual style of publications, commissioning illustrators and managing layout and design.

Education and community arts careers

Graduates who enjoy teaching and mentoring may pursue careers in education and creative outreach.

• Illustration Teacher: with further qualifications, graduates can teach illustration in schools, colleges, and universities
• Workshop Leader and Tutor: run workshops, online courses and community projects, sharing your skills with children, adults, and professionals.
• Community Arts Practitioner: use illustration for educational and wellbeing projects, working with diverse groups.

Business and creative management careers

Illustration graduates also work in roles that support creative businesses and commercial development.

• Licensing Artist: create artwork for use on products such as stationery, clothing and gifts. They work with manufacturers and retailers to apply designs across products.
• Creative Producer: manage illustration-based projects, coordinating clients, artists, budgets and schedules.
• Studio Manager: support creative teams by overseeing operations, resources and client relationships.
• Creative Consultant: advise companies on visual identity, branding and creative strategy.

More advice for illustration applicants 

• How to make a perfect illustration portfolio for university
• How to write a great UCAS personal statement for an Illustration degree

Related courses

Undergraduate

• Illustration BA (Hons)
• Studio Practice (Illustration) (top-up) BA (Hons)

Postgraduate

• Childrens Book Illustration MA
• Illustration MA